864.00/11–2246: Telegram
The Minister in Hungary (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received November 23—8:50 a.m.]
2194. Mytel 2059, November 697 and previous. In conversation yesterday [Page 345] evening PriMin told Ecker Racz he had decided to postpone municipal elections until after withdrawal occupying forces. PriMin referred to a confidential Gallup poll conducted recently in wide municipalities and made available to Legation showing in any election at this time Smallholders would obtain substantial majority while Communists would receive very small vote. Nagy stated such results taken in conjunction with Leftist victories in neighboring states, would render Hungarian position vis-à-vis USSR impossible and Soviets would be justified in having no confidence in Hungarian Govt. On ground that such situation would be unacceptable to Soviets, Nagy assumed in any election held at this time Soviets would have no alternative but to support Communist tactics designed to make fair elections impossible.
Nagy stated he had not yet revealed his decision to postpone elections since he is striving for a concession from Left block to agree to reapportionment municipal posts in accordance with returns November 1945 elections. He intimated he was having difficulty in obtaining this concession.
Nagy emphasized that he felt very insecure in his position in view of Communist domination neighboring countries and stated that in absence of change in Eastern European situation he is not hopeful of maintaining himself in his position much longer. He declared that from Hungarian point of view American assistance to Hungary, where democracy is fairly strong, is not now so vital as assistance to other Eastern European countries where democracy cannot survive without active American support. He singled out Poland in this connection explaining his belief that Western Powers were so deeply committed to Poland as to give them an entree.
Although Nagy agreed that Soviets have recently relaxed their pressure in economic matters, asserted they are increasingly active in political matters. In illustrating latter he referred to delay in swearing in the three new Ministers on November 20 (mytel 2185. November 2198) which incident was resolved, he stated, only through his threats to resign.
[Page 346]Nagy said he is planning a detailed letter to Secretary Byrnes which will be transmitted by his son who has received appointment as Second Secretary in Hungarian Legation at Washington. He added this would be his first political letter to anyone outside Hungary since he has been in office.
- Not printed. In telegram 2197, November 23, from Budapest, Schoenfeld reported that Under Secretary Balogh had confirmed that Prime Minister Nagy and President Tildy were not willing to press the county election issue. Schoenfeld added the following comment: “If Tildy and Nagy are determined not to disrupt coalition by compromising issue on which Leftists are adamant, they are being consistent with longstanding policy, but in my opinion they are not providing the moral leadership necessary to prevent further encroachment by Leftists according desire of majority Smallholder deputies expressed in election mandate last year. Fact Communists agreed last Tune to hold elections and have now failed to live up to promise is further indication of value of perquisites of office and political immorality here.” (864.00/11–2346)↩
- Not printed; in it the Minister reported that the swearing in of Minister of Information Jozsef Bognar, Minister of Public Supply Janos Eros, and Minister of Agriculture Karoly Baranyos was held up 6 hours because Soviet authorities withheld approval of Baranyos (864.00/11–2146).↩